Viola plant named &#39;LORD PRIMROSE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Viola  plant named ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ characterized by dense trailing habit, dome shape, green leaves and fragrant flowers that are violet and mid-yellow in color. In combination these traits set ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Viola  known to the inventor.

GENUS

VIOLA

SPECIES

×hybrida

DENOMINATION

‘LORD PRIMROSE’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of violagrown as an ornamental plant for use in containers, woodland gardens,landscape borders, and as a bedding plant. The new cultivar is knownbotanically as Viola×hybrida and will be referred to hereinafter by thecultivar name ‘LORD PRIMROSE’.

‘LORD PRIMROSE’ was selected by the inventor in a cultivated area ofVictoria, Australia, as an individual hybrid that resulted from thedeliberate cross-pollination of Viola ‘Major Primrose’ (unpatented) andViola ‘Etain’ (unpatented). The breeding program began in July 2001 withthe goal of producing new viola plants that exhibit unique habit andflower colors. The seed parent is Viola ‘Major Primrose’ and the pollenparent is Viola ‘Etain’. The seed that resulted from this deliberatecross-pollination was germinated, and the resulting seedlings grown toflowering maturity in 140 mm containers. From these flowering plants,the inventor selected ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ for its combination of compactplant habit, domed plant shape, and flower color.

The new Viola variety named ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ exhibits dense compacthabit, domed plant shape, medium-green leaves with rounded teeth, andviolet flowers with mid-yellow centers. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ isdistinguishable from the seed parent by the color of the central flowerpetal. The central flower petal of ‘Major Primrose’ is light yellow towhite in color. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is distinguishable from the pollenparent by the central flower petal. ‘Etain’ exhibits no dominant centralflower petal color. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ exhibits a dominant central flowerpetal that is mid-yellow and violet in color. The closest comparisonplant is ‘Major Primrose’. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is distinguishable from thecomparison plant by the mid-yellow and violet central flower petal.

The first asexual propagation was conducted by the inventor in March2002 in a cultivated area of Victoria, Australia. The method of asexualpropagation utilized was stem cuttings. Since that time ‘LORD PRIMROSE’has been determined stable and reproduces true to type in successivegenerations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new plant cultivar ‘LORDPRIMROSE’. In combination these traits set ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ apart fromall other Viola known to the inventor. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ has not beentested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may beobserved with variations in environmental, climatic and culturalconditions, without however, any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ exhibits dense compact habit.    -   2. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is dome-shaped.    -   3. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ blooms from spring to fall.    -   4. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ exhibits a central dominant flower petal.    -   5. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ exhibits fragrant flowers that are violet and        mid-yellow in color.    -   6. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ exhibits medium-green leaves with rounded        teeth.    -   7. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is asexually propagated using stem cuttings.    -   8. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is 20 cm in height and 40 cm in width at        maturity.    -   9. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is hardy to USDA Zone 7.    -   10. ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is grown for use in containers, woodland        gardens, landscape borders, and as a bedding plant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Viola cultivar named ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ showing the colors as true asit is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of thistype. Colors in the drawings may differ from the color values cited inthe detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new Viola variety named ‘LORD PRIMROSE’.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 depicts a whole plant from a sideperspective.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flower.

Drawings were made using conventional techniques and although colors mayappear different from actual colors due to light reflectance they are asaccurate as possible by conventional photography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Viola plant named‘LORD PRIMROSE’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from12-month-old plants growing in 2-litre containers. Phenotypicdifferences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic,and cultural conditions without however, any variance in genotype. Thecolor determinations are in accordance with The 2001 Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart of London, England, except where general colorterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growingrequirements are similar to that of other Viola.

-   Botanical classification: Viola×hybrida ‘LORD PRIMROSE’.-   Plant genus: VIOLA.-   Plant species: ×hybrida.-   Plant denomination: ‘LORD PRIMROSE’-   Common name: Viola.-   Plant type: Perennial herb.-   Plant use: Grown for use in containers, woodland gardens, landscape    borders, and as a bedding plant.-   Cultural requirements: Plant in full sun or partial shade using    well-drained moderately fertile soil, and moderate water.-   Pests and disease susceptibility: No pests or disease are known to    the inventor other than those commonly affecting Viola.-   Parentage: Viola×hybrida ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ is a hybrid plant that    resulted from the deliberate cross-pollination of the following    parent plants:    -   -   Seed parent.—Viola ‘Major Primrose’.        -   Pollen parent.—Viola ‘Etain’.-   Plant description:    -   -   Bloom period.—Spring to fall.        -   Plant habit.—Dense compact habit.        -   Plant shape.—Dome-shaped.        -   Plant height (at maturity).—20 cm in height.        -   Plant width (at maturity).—40 cm in width.        -   Plant hardiness.—USDA Zone 7.        -   Asexual propagation.—Asexual propagation is accomplished            using the method of stem cuttings.        -   Time to develop roots.—4-6 weeks are needed for initial            cuttings to develop roots.        -   Crop time.—6 months are needed to produce a finished 1-litre            container from a rooted cutting.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching pattern.—Densely branching.        -   Stem shape.—Trigonous.        -   Stem color.—144B.        -   Stem texture.—Flexible.        -   Stem width.—An average of 3 mm in width.        -   Stem length.—An average of 5 cm in length.        -   Stem surface.—Glabrous.        -   Internode length.—A range of 2 cm to 4 cm in length.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf apex.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf base.—Rounded.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—147B.        -   Leaf margin.—Crenate.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf appearance.—Matte.        -   Leaf length.—1.25 cm to 4.50 cm.        -   Leaf width.—1 cm to 1.25 cm        -   Leaf color (adaxial surfaces).—147A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surfaces).—147B.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole color.—144A.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.        -   Petiole surface.—Glabrous.        -   Petiole length.—An average of 4.50 cm.        -   Petiole width.—An average of 2 mm.        -   Stipules.—Present.        -   Stipule arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Stipule form.—Leaf-like.        -   Stipule attachment.—Sessile.        -   Stipule shape.—Lyrate.        -   Stipule color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—138A.        -   Stipule margin.—Cleft.        -   Stipule apex.—Rounded.        -   Stipule base.—Truncate.        -   Stipule surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Stipule length.—An average of 2.25 cm.        -   Stipule width.—An average of 1.50 cm.        -   Leaf fragrance.—Grass-like.-   Flowers:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Solitary.        -   Flower shape.—Orbicular.        -   Flower aspect.—Pendant.        -   Flowers persistent or self-cleaning.—Self-cleaning.        -   Flower length.—3.25 cm.        -   Flower width.—2.75 cm.        -   Flower depth.—1.10 cm.        -   Flower color.—Individual colors 86C, 86D, 13A, 13D are            present on an individual flower.        -   Bud dimensions.—0.50 cm in length and 0.50 cm in width.        -   Bud shape.—Globular.        -   Bud color.—86A.        -   Bud surface.—Puberulent.        -   Bud apex.—Obtuse.        -   Petals.—5 in number.        -   Petal shape.—Obdeltoid, obcordate, and obovate petal shapes            are individually present on an individual flower        -   Petal color (adaxial surface).—Colors 86C, 13D, and 13A are            individually present on an individual petal.        -   Petal color (abaxial surface).—Colors 86D and 13D are            individually present on an individual petal.        -   Petal surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Petal dimensions.—Individual petals have been observed with            the following dimensions: 1 cm in length, 1.25 cm and 1.5 cm            in width; 1.25 cm in length, 1.25 cm, 1.5 cm and 2.0 cm in            width.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Obcordate and obtuse apices are individually            present on the petals of an individual flower.        -   Petal base.—Cuneate.        -   Spur.—One in number on anterior petal of an individual            flower.        -   Spur color.—189B.        -   Spur surface.—Glabrous.        -   Spur length.—1 cm. in length.        -   Spur width.—2.75 mm in width.        -   Corolla tube depth.—6 mm in depth.        -   Calyx diameter.—2.25 cm in diameter.        -   Calyx shape.—Stellate.        -   Sepals.—5 in number.        -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Sepal length.—1 cm in length.        -   Sepal width.—3 mm in width.        -   Sepal color (abaxial surface).—138B.        -   Sepal color (adaxial surface).—138A.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal base.—Rounded.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal surface (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Peduncle length.—Ranges from 4.5 cm to 11 cm in length.        -   Peduncle width.—2 mm in width.        -   Peduncle shape.—Sulcate.        -   Peduncle color.—144A.        -   Peduncle surface.—Glabrous.        -   Flower fragrance.—Perfume scent.        -   Lastingness of flower.—An individual flower lasts 5-7 days.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—5 in number.        -   Stamen shape.—Pandurate.        -   Stamen arrangement.—Introrse and enclosing ovary.        -   Stamen color.—160D.        -   Stamen dimensions.—3 mm in length and 2 mm in width.        -   Anther color.—N167A.        -   Anther dimensions.—1 mm in length and 1.25 mm in width.        -   Anther form.—Crisped.        -   Pollen quantity.—Moderate.        -   Color of pollen.—155A.        -   Pistil.—1 in number.        -   Pistil dimensions.—7.50 mm in length.        -   Pistil color.—144D.        -   Style shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Style length.—2 mm in length.        -   Style color.—144D.        -   Stigma shape.—Globular.        -   Stigma color.—144B.        -   Stigma dimensions.—1.50 mm in height and 1.50 mm in width.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary color.—144B.        -   Ovary shape.—Ovoid.        -   Ovary dimensions.—4 mm. in height and 3 mm. in diameter.-   Seed production: No seed observed to date.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Viola plant named ‘LORD PRIMROSE’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.